New International Reader's Version

Ezekiel 36:16-28 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

16. Another message came to me from the Lord. He said,

17. "Son of man, the people of Israel used to live in their own land. But they polluted it because of how they acted and the way they lived. To me they were 'unclean' like a woman who was having her monthly period.

18. "They spilled people's blood in the land. They polluted the land by worshiping other gods. So I poured out my burning anger on them.

19. I scattered them among the nations. I sent them to other countries. I judged them based on how they acted and the way they lived.

20. "They treated my name as if it were not holy. They did it everywhere they went among the nations. People said about them, 'They are the Lord's people. But they were forced to leave his land.'

21. I was concerned about my holy name. The people of Israel treated it as if it were not holy. They did it everywhere they went among the nations.

22. "But tell the people of Israel, 'The Lord and King speaks. He says, "People of Israel, I will not take action for your benefit. Instead, I will act for the honor of my holy name. You have treated it as if it were not holy. You did it everywhere you went among the nations.

23. But I will show everyone how holy my great name is. You have treated it as if it were not holy. So I will use you to show the nations how holy I am. Then they will know that I am the Lord," announces the Lord and King.

24. " ' "I will take you out of the nations. I will gather you together from all of the countries. I will bring you back into your own land.

25. " ' "I will sprinkle pure water on you. Then you will be 'clean.' I will make you completely pure and clean. I will take all of the statues of your gods away from you.

26. I will give you new hearts. I will give you a new spirit that is faithful to me. I will remove your stubborn hearts from you. I will give you hearts that obey me.

27. " ' "I will put my Spirit in you. I will move you to follow my rules. I want you to be careful to keep my laws.

28. You will live in the land I gave your people long ago. You will be my people. And I will be your God.